Shock in Romania over the death of a baby in baptism: they ask to change the ritual

02/04/2021 18:31

• Clarín.com

• World

Updated 02/04/2021 18:31

The death of a six-week-old baby after the baptism ceremony shocked Romania and

on social networks they mobilized for the Orthodox Church to modify the ritual

, considered dangerous. 

"The death of a newborn due to this practice is a great tragedy. This risk must be discarded for the joy of baptism to triumph," they wrote an online petition, which this Thursday added more than 56,000 signatures.

The child died in hospital shortly after being baptized in a church in Suceava (northeast).

Complying with the orthodox ritual, the infant

was submerged three times in holy water despite crying a lot

.

The baby

suffered cardiac arrest

, was rushed to the hospital but died a few hours later.

Orthodox baptism in Russia.

AP Photo.

The autopsy revealed the presence of a "liquid" in his lungs

and the prosecution opened an

investigation for "homicide" against the priest

who performed the baptism.

Faced with criticism, Orthodox Church spokesman

Vasile Banescu

said the priests could simply pour some water on the baby's forehead to avoid such tragedies.

But Archbishop Theodosia, leader of the hard wing within the Church, said that this "ritual will not change."

"

We will not be intimidated,

" he added.

Source: AFP.

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